Best known for his wry humor, Snider has been a fixture on the Americana, alt-country, and folk scene since his debut on MCA, entitled Songs for the Daily Planet, named for the bar where Snider used to play regularly in Memphis. On that album were the minor hits "Talkin' Seattle Grunge Rock Blues", a folk song about the early '90's grunge scene, featuring a band that "refused to play", and "Alright Guy", which later became the title cut of Gary Allan's 2001 album.
He released two more albums for MCA, Step Right Up and Viva Satellite, the latter often sparking colorful debate amongst fans for its comparisons to Tom Petty. He moved to John Prine's Oh Boy Records where he made Happy to Be Here, New Connection, Near Truths and Hotel Rooms, and East Nashville Skyline. That Was Me: The Best of Todd Snider 1994–1998 was released on the Hip-O label in August 2005.
Todd Snider's next studio album, The Devil You Know, was released in August 2006. It marked Snider's return to a major label, as he is now recording for New Door Records, a subsidiary of Universal Records.
The Devil You Know was named to several critics' year-end "best" lists, including a No. 33 ranking in Rolling Stone magazine's top 50 albums of the year, a No. 25 ranking by No Depression magazine, and No. 14 by Blender magazine.
Snider's songs "Late Last Night" and "I Believe You" have been recorded by the Oklahoma country-rock band Cross Canadian Ragweed. He co-wrote the song "Barbie Doll" with country star Jack Ingram.
Snider's new album, Peace Queer, is set to be released on October 14th, 2008, and will be available as a free download from Oct. 11 to Oct. 31 at http://www.toddsnider.net/store/product/1/Peace-Queer .
You Think You Know Somebody
Todd Snider Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You think they know you
You think you know somebody
But man you never do
Jackie used to live three blocks away from me
We used to throw the baseball
And we'd climb his old oak tree
Behind the picket fence
We swore that we would always be best of friends
We used to sit out on the curb
And talk on summer nights
Until Jackie's dad would call him
And he took off like a light
The Friday nights were all the same
Our high school senior year
We hung out at the river
Drank black label beer
And we would listen to the Stones
With all of our old friends
Maybe sneak a toke or two
Down where the river bends
Well I remember how I said
I'd drive him home on Friday night
Well he said go on without out me
Buddy I'll be all right
We went off to college
Start our freshman year
Well I went off to school
About an hour away from here
But you know Jackie he took off
Went to college out of state
He used to call me all the time
He used to tell me it was great
He said I'm coming home for Christmas
And I hope you'll do the same
Well he'd say that he was coming
But Jackie never came
Ah, you think you know somebody
You think they know you
You think you know somebody
But man you never do
Well the night that he got married
Well I was his best man
He's moved back to town
And now we're neighbors again
I've since found myself a wife
So now I'm married too
Our families get together
Every Sunday afternoon
His boy and my boy
They sit out and talk at night
Until Jackie calls for his boy
And then he takes off like a light
Last night I saw the flashing lights
I quickly ran outside
A neighbor lady told me
That Jackie's youngest boy had died
And I was shocked to see the cops
Had Jackie handcuffed in the car
Ã???Til this morning's paper told me
That Jackie had gone too far
And now they're saying Jackie
He ain't the only one to blame
Cause battered children, they almost always
Grow up to do the same
You think you know somebody
You think they you know you
You think you know somebody
But man you never do
Oh
The song "You Think You Know Somebody" by Todd Snider tells the story of two childhood friends, Jackie and the singer, who grow up together and remain close, despite attending colleges in different states. The song exposes how naive we can be about the people we believe we know very well, as Jackie, the seemingly successful friend, is revealed to be a child abuser who murders his own son. The line "You think you know somebody, but man you never do" serves as the main message of the song.
The song starts in a nostalgic tone, as the singer remembers simpler times when he and Jackie would do things like play baseball and sneak cigarettes together. They shared a friendship filled with youthful innocence and companionship. However, as they grew older, they went to different colleges, and Jackie moved away for good after they graduated. Despite the distance, they remained in touch, and Jackie always talked fondly about returning to their hometown.
As they both grew into adulthood and started families of their own, they resumed their friendship despite the distance. On one tragic night, the singer discovers that Jackie's youngest child had died due to abuse. Furthermore, Jackie is revealed to have killed him, resulting in his arrest and eventual prosecution. The song also highlights the tragic cycle of domestic abuse, with the line "Cause battered children, they almost always/Grow up to do the same."
Overall, the song is a hauntingly poignant reflection of how we can never truly know the depths of a person or their actions, regardless of how well we think we know them.
Line by Line Meaning
You think you know somebody
Assuming you know someone's true character
You think they know you
Assuming someone knows your true character
You think you know somebody
Assuming you know someone's true character
But man you never do
Expressing the fact that you never really know someone completely
Jackie used to live three blocks away from me
Introducing a character named Jackie and the artist's relationship with him
We used to throw the baseball
Describing a shared interest or activity between the singer and Jackie
And we'd climb his old oak tree
Further describing a shared interest or activity between the singer and Jackie
You know we would sneak his old man's cigarettes
Revealing a secret or mischievous behavior between the artist and Jackie
Behind the picket fence
Detailing the location of the artist and Jackie's secret behavior
We swore that we would always be best of friends
Describing the depth of the relationship between the artist and Jackie
We used to sit out on the curb
Describing a setting where the singer and Jackie would talk
And talk on summer nights
Describing an activity in which the artist and Jackie would engage
Until Jackie's dad would call him
Introducing an obstacle to the singer and Jackie's relationship
And he took off like a light
Describing how quickly Jackie would have to leave when his father called
The Friday nights were all the same
Revealing a pattern of activity between the singer and Jackie
Our high school senior year
Placing the events detailed in the song in a specific time frame
We hung out at the river
Describing a specific location where the artist and Jackie would hang out
Drank black label beer
Describing an activity in which the singer and Jackie would engage
And we would listen to the Stones
Describing an activity in which the singer and Jackie would engage
With all of our old friends
Placing the artist and Jackie's friendship in a specific social context
Maybe sneak a toke or two
Describing an activity in which the artist and Jackie would engage
Down where the river bends
Describing a specific location where the artist and Jackie would engage in certain activities
Well I remember how I said
Transitioning to a specific memory where the singer and Jackie's friendship changes
I'd drive him home on Friday night
Recalling a promise made to Jackie by the artist
Well he said go on without out me
Jackie opting out of the promise made by the singer
Buddy I'll be all right
Assuring the singer that he doesn't need a ride
We went off to college
Transitioning to a new stage in the singer and Jackie's life
Start our freshman year
Placing the events detailed in the song in a specific time frame
Well I went off to school
Describing the artist's own experience at college
About an hour away from here
Placing the singer's college experience in a specific location
But you know Jackie he took off
Describing how Jackie's college experience differed from the singer's
Went to college out of state
Describing the location of Jackie's college experience
He used to call me all the time
Describing how Jackie kept in touch with the artist during college
He used to tell me it was great
Detailing a recurring conversation between the artist and Jackie
He said I'm coming home for Christmas
Describing an anticipated event when Jackie is set to return home
And I hope you'll do the same
Inviting the artist to do the same
Well he'd say that he was coming
Repeating Jackie's promises to come home and visit
But Jackie never came
Revealing a complication in the relationship between the singer and Jackie
Ah, you think you know somebody
Returning to the main theme of the song
You think they know you
Repeating the main idea of the song
You think you know somebody
Repeating the main idea of the song
But man you never do
Repeating the main idea of the song
Well the night that he got married
Describing a specific event in Jackie's life
Well I was his best man
Describing the artist's role in that specific event
He's moved back to town
Describing a new development in Jackie's life
And now we're neighbors again
Describing a new proximity in their relationship
I've since found myself a wife
Describing a change in the singer's own life
So now I'm married too
Reinforcing the previous line
Our families get together
Describing a new aspect of the singer's life
Every Sunday afternoon
Placing the events detailed in the song in a specific time frame
His boy and my boy
Describing a new generation in their relationship
They sit out and talk at night
Describing an activity in which the next generation engages
Until Jackie calls for his boy
Describing an obstacle to the new generation's activity
And then he takes off like a light
Describing how quickly Jackie's boy has to leave when called
Last night I saw the flashing lights
Transitioning to a new and unexpected event in the song
I quickly ran outside
Describing the artist's response to the flashing lights
A neighbor lady told me
Describing who informs the artist of the unexpected event
That Jackie's youngest boy had died
Revealing the tragic event
And I was shocked to see the cops
Describing the singer's reaction to the situation
Had Jackie handcuffed in the car
Describing a related, but separate event in the situation
Ã???Til this morning's paper told me
Revealing that there was information the singer didn't know about the situation
That Jackie had gone too far
Implying that Jackie had some responsibility in what occurred
And now they're saying Jackie
Introducing the concept that the situation may be more complex than was originally assumed
He ain't the only one to blame
Acknowledging that there may be multiple contributors to the situation
Cause battered children, they almost always
Explaining a possible link between tragedy and abuse in families
Grow up to do the same
Finishing the idea about the possible link
You think you know somebody
Repeating the main theme of the song
You think they know you
Repeating the main idea of the song
You think you know somebody
Repeating the main idea of the song
But man you never do
Finishing with the main idea of the song
Lyrics © CARLIN AMERICA INC
Written by: TODD SNIDER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
atg
Dude's songs have about five times more total unique verses and lyrics than about 95% of songs; I've wondered for a long time how he remembers as many of them as he does over the course of a show. Errors are human. If you want perfect then put your iPod on repeat - same way, every time, no problem. Me? I'll be at the show.
luvzdolphins
Very powerful lyrics. Beautiful and sad song. Great message.
Joseph Schlichting
The real world is pretty sad...✌️
Montana
Im glad he sang it twice. It's my favorite verse.
dixieken
Been crying to this song since its release in mid 90's!!! Tonight, I played it twice without a tear!!! Quite a triumph for me. Just had to say it, ya'll!!!! Thanks fer readin!!!!
MrScrichter
You lost the heart! This such an amazing song! Someone post the full on version!
SPennell
Todd has written many GREAT songs...this may be his BEST!
JOE STONE
what a powerfull song
BrushApe66
PRODIGIOUSLY TALENTED! Haven't yet had the pleasure to see him live, but would drive 250 miles both ways on a school night to do so. Thank you for posting!
Mark Kimsey
I reckon if he wants to drop, add or change a stanza, he can. It's his song, after all, and he can 'screw it up' if he wants. Either way, a masterful song and story. As to the 'stoned' part? Who cares?